Mayor, Starwood at odds on SouthField changes

Mayor Sue Kay made her own proposal Friday for changes to the law governing the redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. An official from the lead developer for the SouthField project told the town council Tuesday night that the Kay proposal was unacceptable.

WEYMOUTH – Mayor Sue Kay and the lead developer of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station are at odds over plans to revive the stalled development.

Starwood Land Ventures Vice President Matthew Barry said he received a proposal from the mayor and lawyers representing the town at 6 p.m. Friday, and he found it unacceptable.

Although he did not mention any specifics, Barry told the town council Tuesday night that the mayor’s proposal makes “dramatic changes in business terms” for the proposal to overhaul the SouthField development.

It was the 15th time in the last six months that Barry has met with the council to discuss proposed legislation that would change the law governing the development. The company wants to see the changes approved before the July 31 end of the state Legislature’s formal session.

Barry said he has met with the mayor 33 times to discuss the legislation.

Kay, who attended the council meeting, took issue with Barry’s statements. She said she would send the council a letter detailing Barry’s misstatements.

“We made a counterproposal,” Kay said in an interview after the meeting. “We don’t expect them to agree with it 100 percent. It’s something to deliberate on.”

Representatives from both sides are scheduled to meet Friday to go over the proposal.

Barry said he would be available to meet earlier, but Kay said she didn’t know if her schedule would allow it.

Barry told the council that he is ready to put together a final draft of the legislation that includes the nearly two dozen changes made by the council.

“We believe it is a collaborative work product with the town of Weymouth,” Barry said.

Kay thinks she hasn’t been included in the process.

“Starwood has chosen to deal with the council and not with the administration of the town,” Kay said in an interview.

Until she feels comfortable with the proposed changes, “I’m not agreeing to anything,” the mayor said.

Town Councilor Thomas Lacey said he is frustrated by the fact that the negotiations appear to have lost ground. He said it was “irresponsible” for Starwood to think the mayor would not have a change or two of her own to propose.

Barry said the company remains committed to the project. With the changes, more building could take place in the next two or three years than took place in the last 10, he said.

“We believe there is still a deal to be had,” Barry said. “This is something that will not go on forever.”

Page 2 of 2 - Council President Patrick O’Connor said he has scheduled three meetings for next week in case a settlement is reached.